The Dance Form Jonkunnu

National Identity & the Arts

Journal Entry #3

Kyle McLaughlin

JONKUNNU

Jonkunnu is Jamaica’s 1^st traditional and longest dance form of African descent still being practiced in Jamaica           up to this day. This dance form is a both a Masquerade form and Myal. This dance form is a buildup of music, dance, mime and symbols. Originally this was mainly practiced at Christmas season when the slaves had break on Boxing Day, they were forced to perform this art form as entertainment for their plantation owners and other associates of the plantation

This dance form went through three phases or stages in Jamaica. The first was the early years of introduction and adaptation known as the pre-Set Girl era from the 1650’s- 1770’s, at this time the only characters were of their African background the Cowhead and Horsehead. The next era was followed in the 1770's by the addition of a European feature, the set girls. Set Girl era was of European influence when they began to have different classes/ categories of workers on the plantation. These new races influenced the characters and life and status on the plantation and cultures started to mix again so the new characters added were the Jack-in-the-green, Set girl, sailor boy, devil house Jonkunnu and actor boy. The third stage came after emancipation and it was this masquerade which shows the British influence most clearly. This era was influenced by the breaking up of slavery and the entering of freedom, but  by this time we had already been programmed to look at life as white was superior and blacks were inferior so at this time blacks emulated the life they should be living or the dream life is that of the whites so the Jonkunuu at this time was adapting to the different races and  influences in society where there were a few tribes from Africa that had people coming to Jamaica in search of work too, who brought back a sense of our African culture back in the Jonkunnu and the introduction of the characters pitchy patchy, belly woman, beggar Indian chief, and policeman.

To me Jonkunnu definitely played a big role in the early forming and shaping of our Jamaican identity for it was the first means of actual socialization of the slaves from all these different tribes together, they got to mix culture and adapt and learn from and together from the first stage through to the second stage where there where different eauropean influences more culture mixing but more culture shocks also and acceptance and rejection but understanding eventually up until the final stage where there were free black men and free white men all working and being paid and at this time there was still high levels of segregation, but it only really boosted the lower classes to gain ambition and rise up! And I think its that what makes us jamaicans so determined and to conquer whatever it is that we achieve to do in this world and we will always excel for we defeated slavery on our own been colonized more than once and now we are styl here making impact on the greater world.

"What Is Identity" & "What Role Does the Arts Play In Shaping a National Identity".

NATIONAL IDENTITY & THE ARTS 
journal Entry #1 Entry #1
Kyle Mclaughlin

    IN week 1 of the course, we covered a few topics under the heading "What Is Identity" & "What Role Does the Arts Play In Shaping a National Identity". We also touched texts from Mirror Mirror, Inward Stretch Outward Stretch & Caribbean Cultural Identity: The Case of Jamaica.
    National Identity is basically the deception of a country as a whole, en compressing its culture, traditions, language, and politics. Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions.
    The phrase "Actions Expressed Through the Arts" as explained by Prof. Nettleford is stating from my point of view thatthrough the arts we can tell what is going on and what used to happen in different stages of time and life, it can be used to depict stories to bring change and upliftment etc., the message definatley gets elivered. the Proffesors example on Bob Marley and Rastafari translates to : Bob Marley's musical lyrics carries the doctrines and values of Rastafari, soif one wanted to seek knowledge on the topic of Rastafari, Bob Marley music would be an ideal place to start. My translation of the phrase : the Hon. Lousie Bennett did most of her works in jamaicas native tongue over the long years of her poetic and performing life, "Patois", ( She was also an advocate for making our native tongue to be apart of our own national identity too) so naturally you would listen to or read works done by her if you wanted to know about Jamaica's native tongue.
    Week one was all about learning what is , factors towards national identity and how the message is carried on throughout the generations , and that's was through the arts.

Jamaican Forms of Popular Music, Reflections & shifts in their Social, Economic, Political and Social status since independence

Journal entry #4

Kyle McLaughlin

Today we talk about the transition in the music forms inn Jamaica and how it affected the people and how the people affected the music. We start our musical journey into history from the 1960’s when Jamaica gained independence from British rule. We start with Mento, leading on to Ska music, then on to Rocksteady, then Reggae and ending in Dancehall.

Mento had a lot of instrumentals but most Mento songs had vocals. The lyrics are typically a lot of fun generally portraying all the issues, large and small, of life in Jamaica. They had a lot of songs about Jamaica itself, some described Jamaican foods and recipes, and there were a lot of songs about various fruits -- just one way that Mento gave you a real slice of Jamaican life in the 1950s. All manner of relationships between people are explored, as is the problematic and comic relationship between man and animal. Though there a few serious or sad songs, the great majority were happy and positive.

Ska used elements drawn from Jamaican Mento, Revival and Rastafarian drumming, plus some rhythm and blues, boogie and swing. At this time most of the early studio musicians were trained instrumentalists, and a lot of the music was purely instrumental. These musicians were the innovators behind the Jamaican music to come. Ska developed in downtown Kingston around 1960 to 1966. It took a while for it to be accepted by the middle and upper classes, for this music’s audience were mainly the Jamaican ‘Rude Boys’. Lyrics were mainly about the social concerns of the country at the time. This music represented the lower class in the beginning. The Rude Boy’s that listened were rebellious out of work and reacted against economic tensions. Rude Boys often lived outside of the law. Ska lyrics at the time reflected the life and times of Rude Boys. Some examples include The Heptones' 'Gunmen Comin to Town', Desmond Dekkers' '007 Shanty Town' and Prince Busters' 'Judge Dread' who handed out 400 year sentences to Rude Boys.

By 1966 in Jamaica many audiences had grown tired of the Ska beat and tempo, at this time the beat of Ska was slowed and Rocksteady was born, and lasted from 1966 to 1968. Rumor has it that it was a particularly hot Jamaican summer that led to this more easygoing style but the real reason the continuing influence of American R&B. By the mid 60's R&B was developing into the smoother soul styles of like Motown, but Jamaican musicians responded to this with their own slower smoother styles. The most renowned hit of the Rocksteady era was 'The Tide is high' by The Paragons. In the 80's this was covered by Blondie and was one of their biggest hits. The influence of another religious revival, Rastafarianism led to further musical developments of Ska and Rocksteady and reggae was born.

 Reggae’s music style originated as a development of Ska and Rocksteady. Reggae is based on a rhythmic style characterized by accents on the off-beat, known as the skank. Reggae is usually slower than Ska but faster than Rocksteady. Since the arrival, Reggae music has been Jamaica’s emotional outlet, to express thoughts and feelings about life, love and religion. Reggae music is created with incredible amounts of soul and pride, It is more than just music, it is a way of life for those who live in Jamaica and Jamaicans around the world. Reggae’s era was from 1969 to 1983. Currently in Jamaica, Reggae is very soulful, it’s a powerful social force that represents the pressures of everyday life and struggle, putting them into words that describe, reveal and persuade the people that listen to its powerful messages. The origins of Reggae derived from confrontation and struggle, it’s based on freedom and never giving up. This type of music has proven to bring crowds of people together, while uniting a country and political party at the same time. This has been evident in Bob Marley uniting two political parties in Jamaica, at The One Love Peace Concert in Jamaica before he died. He also showed his music definitely united Jamaica and taught us to appreciate ourselves as who we are and he even demonstrated the power of reggae an the message it brings with the influence over in Zimbabwe.  Bob Marley was honored by Zimbabwe’s 1980 Independence celebration because his music had given inspiration to freedom fighters in the bush.

Dancehall in the beginning in the late1980’s early 1990’s, was way more than music studios, record shops, and street corners and anywhere the music is played, it extends to the inner cities that that forces the elements for this musical form called Dancehall. It’s in the inner cities that the vibes are built; the harsh realities provide the genesis for the creative juices. Each sentence in a song represents an aphorism of inner city life, which is easily recognized by the main participants. All the different themes displayed in the music, are a reflection of the life lived, reality of most of the Dancehall artists. The harsh realities of inner city life are not the only influence that is manifested in the dancehall music. From then until now, most of our dancehall artiste do not have a first degree or a high school diploma, so this means actual good substance isn’t present in dancehall music, what Dancehall is today same way is just about petty social issues hype and fashion and drugs. The whole issue of controversy sells may be an alternative for producing a good song. However when two dancehall artistes find themselves in a lyrical war it is guaranteed to get air play; what are the other benefits of insulting each other repeatedly to gain popularity and what whim of fake faith and power. This is the sole factor of dancehall music today, “mix up”. This shows exactly what is going on in Jamaica at the given time whenever the Dancehall track is made. Vybz Kartel did the song Clarke's and instantly the price and the sales of these shoes sky rocketed.

After doing all the reading I have done and knowledge gained within being a young producer and a fan of Ska, Reggae and Dancehall I can safely say that with all the forms discussed they all had the power of uniting the people, definitely influencing the listeners and fans and vice versa for throughout all they represented life in jamaica and issues wether it were the petty issues or it was real serious issues of poverty, crime and violence, poverty and such.

Mento represented a time of coming together, for it dominated that time in the 1960’s when Jamaica gained independence  and everybody was happy with each other, happy to be a Jamaican , we became proud to be a Jamaican the and started to accept our own Jamaican Identity. Ska came in for the Rude Boys in the inner cities, depressed of their socio-economic statuses and elements against them taking to live a life ‘badness’ to survive. Ska music was theirs to let loose and appreciate. Ska ended in in 1966 where Rocksteady took over for two years because the people got tired of hearing the beats and tempos of Ska music. It was also a time where we were getting exposed to the happenings overseas and the influence of American music groups like Motown, and styl mixed with our African roots in the instruments catering to the same masses. Reggae came in off the same African drum heartbeat as of its predecessors and this was in a time when the country had already gained independence and time had been passing and the country had been really depressed and Revival was prevalent and  Rastafari was growing so the drums started to beat and the baseline followed for the country needed unity again in the time of darkness and depression due to poverty and politics and losing of faith in themselves to go on reggae had to be the voices of and to the people of Jamaica to get them back in the peace love and faith frame of mind again. Reggae had the hearts of the masses of the country but there was still a minority that couldn’t attach themselves to the reggae music officially and dancehall was created representing the inner city life and levity, but this time it wasn’t from a revival or Rastafarian side this was just from the depressed I got to survive by any means necessary frame of mind people uneducated people, to where it is now, still influencing the uneducated but in addition the youths of society where the topics are just about ‘badness, mix-up, weed, degrading females, bashing of gays and promoting violence, if its hot off the press and current  they will sing about the governments and last but not least the Hype of whats happening in the different social circles’.

Slave Retention in Jamaican Culture

In week two of the National Identity and the Arts class, we covered a few topics. I wasn’t present for the actual class, but I was filled in on the topics and areas covered. This week we went back in time, back to the days of slavery in Jamaica. The main topics covered were “The Influence of Slavery & Emancipation in shaping a Jamaican Cultural Identity.

We started out by running through the cultural practices on the plantation, discussing the lifestyle of the “Slave & Slave Driver” (Slave Master) on the plantation, and then moving along to the “Hidden Arts” practiced amongst the slaves. The final topics covered were Pre & Post Emancipation & Cultural Practices & last but not least we ran through “Themes of Slave Retention in Jamaican Culture”.

Slavery had been abolished many years ago, but up until this day we as Jamaicans can’t seem to let go of a lot of the practices and ideology of societal status and behaviors instilled in directly and indirectly by the “Superiors” on the and in the plantation.

One prevalent theme of slave retention in Jamaican Culture today is that of Race & Ethnicity. In the days of slavery, it was said and respected that the ‘lighter the complexion, the higher you are in the eyes of society, thus making the Caucasian man the most superior.  

Slave retention can definitely be identified in all forms of our arts in Jamaica, especially in our local music. Example: Vybz Kartel’s song “From Dem Look Pon ME”. Here are some excerpts from the song showcasing the racial issue from slave retention mentioned earlier; 1. Di gyal dem love off me white cute face 2. Di gyal dem love off me bleach out face. This all goes back to the days when the slaves actually believe that the lighter their complexion the better chance they have at surviving in the greater world for it had been perceived that white is superior ad black is inferior. The artiste Vybz Kartel who produced these lyrics regarding skin lightening are practices he does indulge in and had been doing so for over 10 years, and the reception he receives from the people of Jamaica on the topic had been a positive response in most cases for most of the fans of the artiste given are also indulging in skin lightening too. It is really very easy to get caught up in the skin lightening mode trying be as clear as the “superiors”, for every time u hear the song you just want to buy yourself sum skin lightening cream and start the process right away, for it had been retained subconsciously thus the reason the act of skin lightening feels so right.

Vybz Kartel Before & After Skin lightening

It has been proven that a percentage of the people participating in skin lightening , actually received a large boost in self-esteem and confidence , for “the lighter the complexion the higher you are on the social scene, thus proving slave retention still lives today among us. I’m really proud of myself in accepting all my perfections and imperfections of my physical self, and really don’t care to really please society, but always trying do my own thing and think out the box. 

TRODDING WITH DJSTEPS: KINGLY TRIBE OF JUDAH

TRODDING WITH DJSTEPS: KINGLY TRIBE OF JUDAH: STRAIGHT FROM THE BIBLE Jacobs Blessing - Gen. 49:8-12 "Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemi...

TRODDING WITH DJSTEPS: MORINGA OLEIFERA THE MIRACLE TREE

TRODDING WITH DJSTEPS: MORINGA OLEIFERA THE MIRACLE TREE: 'This is what they have been hiding from us !! But now we have the knowledge , so gain and share please. ' Moringa oleifera has b...

TRODDING WITH DJSTEPS: EGYPTIAN ANKH SYMBOL OF LIFE

TRODDING WITH DJSTEPS: EGYPTIAN ANKH SYMBOL OF LIFE: The origin of the symbol remains a mystery to Egyptologists , and no single hypothesis has been widely accepted. One of the earliest suggest...

EGYPTIAN ANKH SYMBOL OF LIFE

The origin of the symbol remains a mystery to Egyptologists, and no single hypothesis has been widely accepted. One of the earliest suggestions is that of Thomas Inman, first published in 1869:^[2]

It is by Egyptologists called the symbol of life. It is also called the "handled cross", or crux ansata. It represents the male triad and the female unit, under a decent form. There are few symbols more commonly met with in Egyptian art. In some remarkable sculptures, where the sun's rays are represented as terminating in hands, the offerings which these bring are many a crux ansata, emblematic of the truth that a fruitful union is a gift from the deity.

The ankh appears frequently in Egyptian tomb paintings and other art, often at the fingertips of a god or goddess in images that represent the deities of the afterlife conferring the gift of life on the dead person's mummy; this is thought to symbolize the act of conception.^{[citation needed]} Additionally, an ankh was often carried by Egyptians as an amulet, either alone, or in connection with two other hieroglyphs that mean "strength" and "health" (see explication of djed and was, above). Mirrors of beaten metal were also often made in the shape of an ankh, either for decorative reasons or to symbolize a perceived view into another world.^{[citation needed]}
Mika Waltari, who wrote the fictionalized documentary/novel The Egyptian in 1949, wrote of the origin of monotheistic culture in ancient Egypt, where the ankh first appeared as the symbol of this following. The first pharaoh to take on the name "ankh" within his own was the well known boy king, Tut-ankh-amon. According to this young king's father, Amun was the only God, symbolized by the sun resting on the horizon; thus the circle resting on a horizontal bar. It is a common misconception that Tutankhamon did not die a natural death, but was challenged in to a situation which brought about his injury and death. This, allegedly, (and quite possibly, through romantized fiction) was performed by those against this early monotheism.
A symbol similar to the ankh appears frequently in Minoan and Mycenaean sites. This is a combination of the sacral knot (symbol of holiness) with the double-edged axe (symbol of matriarchy)^[5] but it can be better compared with the Egyptian tyet which is similar. This symbol can be recognized on the two famous figurines of the chthonian Snake Goddess discovered in the palace of Knossos. Both snake goddesses have a knot with a projecting loop cord between their breasts.^[6] In the Linear B (Mycenean Greek) script, ankh is the phonetic sign za.^[7]

Crux ansata in Codex Glazier

The ankh also appeared frequently in coins from ancient Cyprus and Asia Minor (particularly the city of Mallus in Cilicia).^[8] In some cases, especially with the early coinage of King Euelthon of Salamis, the letter ku, from the Cypriot syllabary, appeared within the circle ankh, representing Ku(prion) (Cypriots). To this day, the ankh is also used to represent the planet Venus (the namesake of which, the goddess Venus or Aphrodite, was chiefly worshipped on the island) and the metal copper (the heavy mining of which gave Cyprus its name).
David P. Silverman notes how the depiction of the ancient Egyptian ankh was preserved by the Copts in their representation of the Christian cross, the coptic cross.^[9]

Modern use

The ankh is one of the best and most widely known symbols of ancient Egypt and it is often used as the graphic synonym for this ancient culture. Due to this context, as well as due to the fact that many pictures of Egyptian gods and goddesses contained the symbol ankh in their hands, this symbol was adopted as a symbol of modern religion called Kemetism (although different Gnostic sects have long used this symbol), which is reconstructing the ancient Egyptian religion at the present. Many neo-pagan, New Age, and pagan sects wear the ankh as a symbol of power and wisdom or to show that they honor the Egyptian pantheon. It is commonly seen in jewelry such as rings and necklaces and despite its earlier uses it is cast in silver (versus the gold or copper the ancients used).

• Professional wrestler Christopher Daniels has a tattoo of the ankh on his chest.
• The late singer Aaliyah had the ankh symbol tattooed on her right wrist. [1]
• The ankh is a frequently recurring element in the video game series Ultima, being the main symbol of the in-game religion, where it represents power and virtue.
• In the MMORPG game World of Warcraft, it is used for characters known as Shamans to cast Reincarnation
• In the movie Logan's Run the ankh is the key to freedom
• In the first series of the Nickelodeon show House of Anubis the Cup of Ankh is the treasure the characters search for.
• A stylized ankh is also the symbol of the gothic metal band Theatres des Vampires.
• Guitarist Vinnie Vincent used the ankh for makeup design while a member of the rock group Kiss.
• Death, a character in Neil Gaiman's Sandman series, wears the ankh as a necklace.
• The ankh is also used as a symbol in The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan.
• The ankh was used as symbol of eternal life in Canadian TV series Dark Oracle.
• The ankh was used by experimental Jazz musician Sun Ra in his performances and album covers.
• The ankh is used in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of novels as part of the capital city, Ankh-Morpork.
• The AnkhSVN software, a client for the Subversion source control management system, derives its name from the ankh.
• The DC Comics character Doctor Fate is frequently shown using powers or symbology that includes the Ankh.
• The Ankh is held by a statue in the show LOST.
• The Ankh is frequently shown in the music video of the Ace of Base song "The Sign".
• In Citizen Smith the character Wolfie wears a metal Ankh symbol round his neck.

MORINGA OLEIFERA THE MIRACLE TREE

'This is what they have been hiding from us !! But now we have the knowledge , so gain and share please. '

Moringa oleifera has been known as the “miracle tree” for centuries in certain African, Asia and Caribbean countries. It is reported to aid in the treatment of more than 300 diseases and chronic conditions. Moringa is estimated to have more than 90 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants, with no known side effects.
That plant Moringa oleifera is a shrub with numerous benefits especially in the treatment of human and animal health. Every part of Moringa oleifera, including the seeds and roots, are very useful in tackling many diseases. For instance, Moringa seeds which have now become a “hot cake” in many African countries as well as in the USA and other Asian countries according to reports, sell for 10 pounds for just 10 seeds.
Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) has undertaken scientific researches on Moringa plant, and has come to a conclusion that it is extremely nutritional and medicinal.  The benefits have also been documented in some medical and nutritional journals. Little wonder many pharmaceutical companies all over the world are seriously working on the plant to make a fortune from it by extracting its active ingredients to  produce drugs for both human and animal benefit.
Some of those nutrients and antioxidants include:
Vitamin A – Moringa contains four times more Vitamin A and beta-carotene than carrots;
Contains more Vitamin C than oranges and higher calcium content than milk;
Contains greater potassium count than bananas, as well as large quantities of zinc;
Has greater amounts of iron than spinach;
Delivers essential amino acids.
Benefits of Moringa
Helps prevent blindness
Builds immune system.
Helps prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
Can reduce risk of stroke and kidney disorders, and improve muscle strength and metabolism.
Effective in the treatment of anemia and low energy levels.
Aids in muscle recovery and sustained overall health.
Moringa has also been proven effective for preventing or treating
•Diabetes
•High cholesterol
•AIDS and other immune-system diseases
•Obesity
•Bacterial conditions
•Liver and kidney disorders
• Poor digestion
Moringa flowers
•Flower juice improves the quality and flow of mothers’ milk when breast feeding.
•Flower juice is useful for urinary problems as it encourages urination.
•In Haiti, villagers boil Moringa flowers in water and drink its tea as a powerful cold remedy.
Moringa pods
• If eaten raw, pods act as a de-wormer and treat liver and spleen problems and pains of the joints.
• Due to high protein and fibre content, they can play a useful part in treating malnutrition and diarrhoea.
Moringa seeds
•Its seeds are used for their antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties to treat arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramp, sexually transmitted diseases and boils. The seeds are roasted, pounded, mixed with coconut oil and applied to the problem area. Seed oil can be used for the same ailments.
•Roasted seeds and oil can encourage urination.
•They can also be used as a relaxant for epilepsy.
Moringa seeds are effective against skin-infecting bacteria – Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They contain the potent antibiotic and fungicide terygospermin.
Lesson from Songhai farms
We took the first batch of agric investors on our agrobusness excursion to Songhai farms, Portnovo, Republic of Benin, last week. The experience at Songhai farms is overwhelming. The Moringa trees in Songhai farms are well over 30,000 stands and they use the leaves primarily to feed the Japanese quails and the egg laying birds. It has been discovered that Moringa fresh leaves in their diet cause egg production increase, and also serve as antibiotics for the birds.
The Moringa leaves are also used for biogas generation. I also feed my grasscutter, rabbits, and dogs with Moringa leaves and powder. Rabbits seem to love Moringa most.
Moringa plants are now being introduced into the USA as the plant gains popularity among health-conscious people. Moringa plants for sale are now a common sight on the Internet. Many people are also raising their own Moringa plantation. With 200 stands on a plot, a farmer is in business. Order for your Moringa seedlings today!
The Moringa plant is among the most useful plant species around the world. As people continue to study and learn more about the Moringa plant, demand for its leaves, seeds, and oil will undoubtedly continue to increase.

KINGLY TRIBE OF JUDAH

STRAIGHT FROM THE BIBLE
Jacobs Blessing - Gen. 49:8-12
"Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down to you. You are a lion's cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness - who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk."
Moses Blessing - Deut. 33:7
"And this he said about Judah: 'Hear, O Lord, the cry of Judah; bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause. Oh, be his help against his foes."

God's choice in the allotment for the tribe of Judah would play a significant role in the longevity shown by the Davidic Dynasty. The geography of Judah's allotment isolated the tribe, and later the southern kingdom, from its neighbors. The only vulnerable region lay to the north. To the east, south, and west Judah was protected by geographical barriers.
The Shephelah protected the tribe of Judah to the west. This region guarded the main arteries of traffic leading to important cities. Judah controlled this region at times, though never fully controlled the coastal region. The Judean Wilderness protected Judah from the south and east.
This region was often home to castaways, bandits, thieves, outlaws, and runaways. Jesus Christ may have been tempted in this desolate region. This geographical isolation protected and enabled Judah to stave off would be conquerors, and allowed for the southern kingdom of Judah to outlast its northern counterpart by 135 years.
 Joseph Samuel Christian Frederick Frey was an American-Jewish author. Born in Germany, in 1773, he became one of the most influential writers of his time. In 1798 Frey converted from Judaism to Christianity.